Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1887-01-27

WAsnIxerox. Jan. "a. 1857.

WAsHIEGToE, Jan. "a, 1857.
Messrs Editors:-It is announced
that in the event Of the Senate's re-
iecting, for second tine. the nomi-
nation Of Matthews for the position of
Recorder of Deeds for the District Of
Columbia. that the President will, in
all probability. nominate another
colored man for the position. The
person who is said 10 have been select
ed by the President is William ii.
Smith. who for the past twenty five
years has been the assistant Librarian
Of the House Of Representatives. Mr..
Smith was born a slave in the District
Of Columbia, but with his family was
emancipated in 1889 by the will Of the
gentleman who owned him. From the
time Of the emancipation OF slaves
down to 1872 he was a Republican,
but since that time be has taken no
active part in politics. During bis
long term Of service as librarian he
has acquired such complete and ac-
curate knowledge OF the arrangement
Of the library that his services have
been considered invaluable, and his
removal has never been suggested by
either the Republican or Democratic
parties. Mr.. Smith is exceedingly
popular at the Capitol. and it is siad
that the President has received ample
assurances from both Democratic and
Republican Senators that in case his
name is presented for the position
that it will be at once confirmed.
The time fixed by law within which
French spcliation claims must be filed
expired on Friday last, at which time
1867 claims had been filed. A bill
was recently passed by the Senate.
without opposition, extending'he time
for filing these claims for one year.
and it will doubtless pass the House of
Representatives.
Once in four years the Post Office
Department informs the public that
in case an inventor has produced
new device suitable for use in the pos
tai service, which would be an improve
ment on those in use, change would
be made. The announcement is about
to be made, and will of course result
in the appearance of host of inven-
tors, each claiming his invention to be
the most complete and desirable for
the particular use for which it is in
tended, and each confident in the be-
| lief that the committee intrusted with
the duty of examining the devices
submitted for examination will agree
with him in his opinion as to the value
OF his particular invention as com
pared with the hundreds Of other that
are presented.
Speaker Carlisle has, in response to
the urgent request of the corps of lady
newspaper correspondents in Wash
ington, designated that the first two
rows Of seats in the private gallery,
adjoining the press gallery. be reserv-
ed for their exclusive occupancy.
This was done in compliance with an
urgent demand made to the committee
on rules, but nov that their request
has been granted, the favor does not
seem to be appre, lated, as not even
those who were the most persistent in
their efforts to secure tie concession
have claimed the privilege granted
them by the Speaker.
The first State dinner given by the
President and Mrs. Cleveland was
given on Thursday evening. The
families Of the Cabinet and few
others were entertained. The pres
ence Of Mrs. Lamar, the bride of the
Cabinet. and Governor Fiizhugh Lee
and wife, from Richmond, rendered
the occasion particularly interesting